This Midterm Conference of the ESA Sexuality Research Network wants to bring the different strands of sociological and interdisciplinary research on sexuality together, and establish dialogue between the research communities that have developed around them in Europe. In these challenging times for critical research, we need to preserve and develop spaces to put the sociological imagination at work - as critique of mainstream essentialist knowledge production on sexuality and sexual health and as critique of the hierarchies of knowledge in the competitive neoliberal academia.

The goal of this Midterm Conference is to provide a space for exploring bodies, practices, and forms of resistance, and for decolonizing sexuality studies, in an effort to detect centre-periphery dynamics in research agendas, language, concepts, and methods. We would like to discuss how these dynamics are related to increasing transnational mobility and precarization of research work, and to the relations between academia and social movements as sites of knowledge production. Aiming at geographical, theoretical, methodological and thematic diversity, we invite interested scholars to submit proposals exploring centres and margins in:

Deadlines & Submissions:

Apart from single oral presentations, we invite proposals for thematic sessions (panels, roundtables, or other possible formats). A session proposal should include a brief indication of the session’s overarching theme and the list and abstracts of papers/contributions to be included. Please be aware that there is no guarantee that sessions can be integrated in the suggested form into the final programme. You may also propose an extra activity - i.e. movie screening, performance, book launch or other possible event that you would like to organize. A selection of these proposals will be included in the final programme.

The Conference fee will cover coffee breaks and two vegan warm lunchesESA Members € 45Non-Esa members € 50Solidarity fee € 70 (the solidarity fee can be chosen, in alternative to the regular fee, on a voluntary basis by both ESA and non-ESA and ESA members members, and it is aimed at financing bursaries for participants whowill apply for financial support.)

Bursaries and fee-waivers:

To facilitate the exchange with scholars in disadvantaged academic situation, we will offer a number of fee-waivers and travel bursaries for: PhD students, independent and untenured researchers, and junior tenured academics. The primary recipients will be people from geopolitically disadvantaged regions, however, students and freelancing academics from all countries should feel encouraged to apply as well. To apply for the fee-waiver/bursary, please indicate that in your submission, explaining your reasons (one page).We encourage scholars from beyond the European Union to apply. We would be happy to help you with all necessary documentation (invitation, visa) to enable your participation.